Page 93 of Hard-Hearted Highlander

“That’s no’why,” Ualan said. “Because there are no more of our people in the Highlands.”

Ina smiled sympathetically. “That happened to many of us, lad. That’s why we all must keep together, aye?”

Fiona nodded enthusiastically. Ualan shrugged.

“What do you mean, a Mackenzie has taken them in?”

“They say they’re to live with Mr. Mackenzie at Arrandale,” Ina said.

“We’ll visit Barabel, we will,” Fiona added. “She taught me how to make a cake. Do you know how to make a cake?” she asked Ina.

“A wee one, I do,” Ina said.

Bernadette turned around. She continued the packing, her hands moving by rote. Had Rabbie really taken them in? Did he truly intend to keep them, no matter what she said? Lord, had he gone and finally lost his fool mind? A man who was only days ago thinking of jumping off a cliff would now take children under his wing?

When she’d finished packing the china, and the children had eaten, she bade them to come with her so Ina might finish her chores.

“It’s quite all right if they want to remain here, miss,” Ina offered.

Bernadette was tempted. The children looked at her expectantly, and it occurred to her that perhaps she ought to inquire if Ina would like two orphans.

Charles ended all speculation, however, by striding into the kitchen. “The silver, Ina. You’ve forgotten it.”

“Oh!” Ina said. She wiped her hands on a linen and hurried after Charles.

Bernadette looked at the children. “Well, then, that settles, it, doesn’t it? You’re tied to me,” she said wearily. “Come along.”

“Where shall we go now?” Fiona asked, hopping off a stool and sliding her hand into Bernadette’s, uninvited.

“I haven’t quite worked that out,” Bernadette said, glancing behind her to see if Ualan followed.

She led them through the house in search of something to occupy her, or conversely, them, and found nothing. They ended up in her room.

“Sit there,” she said, pointing to the bed. “I’ll finish my packing.”

“Are you leaving us, then?” Fiona asked as she bounced onto the bed.

“I’m leaving Scotland, darling.” Bernadette opened her trunk and began to sort through her things.

“Uncle Rabbie said you might come to live with us at Arrandale,” Fiona said. “We’re all to live there. I’ve no’ seen Arrandale, but Catriona said it is a house big enough for two children and some dogs.”

“I’m terribly sorry, but Uncle Rabbie was mistaken,” Bernadette said bitterly. How dare he give them that expectation? Couldn’t he see how pointless this was? Couldn’t he understand that one simply did not pick up two orphans and a lady’s maid and form some sort of fictional family?

She realized that no one was speaking and glanced up. The children were staring at her. “What?”

“Do you have any children?” Fiona asked.

Bernadette’s gut belly twisted a bit. “No.”

“Why no’, then?”

“She’s no’ married, Fiona,” Ualan said darkly. “She has no family. She’s alone, like us.”

“Why will you no’ come to live with us in Arrandale?” Fiona asked. “Uncle Rabbie said you might. Have you seen it?”

Bernadette dropped a pair of shoes and bent down to retrieve them. She’d seen Arrandale. She thought of being in Rabbie’s bed. She thought of how she’d felt with him. Safe and adored andwanted.She swallowed hard. “Yes, I’ve seen it. It’s quite nice.”

“Then why will you no’ come?” Fiona asked again.